APPENDIX

Classroom Environment Questionnaire

directions

1.Purpose of the Questionnaire

This questionnaire asks you to describe important aspects of your science classroom. There are
no right or wrong answers. This is not a test and your answers will not affect your assessment.
Your opinion is what is wanted. Your answers will enable us to improve future science classes.

2.How to Answer Each Question

On the next few pages, you will find 42 sentences. For each sentence, circle only one number
corresponding to your answer. For example:
Almost Always Often Some- times Seldom Almost Never
In my science class . . .
8 The teacher asks me questions.
5 4 3 2 1

If you think your science teacher almost always asks you questions, circle the 5.
If you think your science teacher almost never asks you questions, circle the 1.
Or you can choose the number 2, 3 or 4 if one of these seems like a more accurate
answer.

3.How to Change Your Answer

If you want to change your answer, cross it out and circle a new number, For example:
8 The teacher asks me questions.
3 2 1
4.Completing the Questionnaire
Now turn the page and please give an answer for every question.
Learning about
the world

Almost Often Some- Seldom Almost

Always
times
Never
In my science class . . .
1 I learn about the world outside of school.
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2 My learning starts with problems aboutthe world outside 5 4 3 2 1
of school.
3 I learn how science can be part of my out-of-school life. 5 4 3 2 1

In my science class . . .
4 I get a better understanding of the world outside of
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school.
5 I learn interesting things about the world outside of
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school.
6 What I learn has nothing to do with my out-of-school life. 5 4 3 2 1
Learning about
Almost Often Some- Seldom Almost
science
Always
times
Never
In my science class
...
7 I learn that science cannot provide perfect answers to
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problems.
8 I learn that science has changed over time.
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9 I learn that science is influenced by people's values and
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opinions.
In my science class . . .
10 I learn about the different sciences used by people in
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other cultures.
11 I learn that modern science is different from the science 5 4 3 2 1
of long ago.
12 I learn that science is about inventing theories.
54321
Learning to
Almost Often Some- Seldom Almost
speak out
Always
times
Never
In my science
class . . .
13 It's OK to ask the teacher "why do we have to learn
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this?"
14 It's OK to question the way I'm being taught.
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15 It's OK to complain about activities that are confusing. 5 4 3 2 1
In my science class . . .
16 It's OK to complain about anything that prevents me
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from learning.
17 It's OK to express my opinion.
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18 It's OK to speak up for my rights.
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Learning to
Almost Often Some- Seldom Almost
learn
Always
times
Never
In my science class . . .
19 I help the teacher to plan what I'm going to learn.
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20 I help the teacher to decide how well I am learning.
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21 I help the teacher to decide which activities are best for 5 4 3 2 1
me.
Learning to learn

Almost

Often Some- Seldom Almost

(cont.)
Always
times
Never
In my science
class . . .
22 I help the teacher to decide how much time I spend on
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activities.
23 I help the teacher to decide which activities I do.
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24 I help the teacher to assess my learning.
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Learning to
Almost Often Some- Seldom Almost
communicate
Always
times
Never
In my science class . . .

25 I get the chance to talk to other students.

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26 I talk with other students about how to solve problems. 5 4 3 2 1
27 I explain my ideas to other students.
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In my science class . . .
28 I ask other students to explain their ideas.
5 4 3 2 1
29 Other students ask me to explain my ideas.
5 4 3 2 1
30 Other students explain their ideas to me.
5 4 3 2 1
Interest in
Almost Often Some- Seldom Almost
learning science
Always
times
Never
In my science class . . .

31 I am interested in science lessons.

32 I am willing to learn.
33 What we do in science class is important to me.
In my science class . . .

34

I try my best.
5 4
35 I pay attention.
5 4
36 I enjoy science lessons.
5 4
Teacher support in
Almost Often Some- Seldom
learning science
Always
times
In my science class . . .

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54321
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3 2 1
3 2 1
3 2 1
Almost
Never

37 The teacher is friendly to me.

38 The teacher helps me with the work.
39 The teacher is interested in my problems.
In my science class . . .

5 4 3 2 1
5 4 3 2 1
5 4 3 2 1

40 The teacher goes out of his/her way to help me.

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41 The teacher moves around the class to talk to me.
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42 The teacher considers my feelings.
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The items in successive blocks of six assess, respectively, Personal
Relevance, Critical Voice, Shared Control, Uncertainy, Student
Negotiation, Commitment, and Teacher Support. The circled number
is the score for every item except Item 6, which is scored in the
reverse manner. Omitted or invalid responses are scored 3.

http://www.letus.northwestern.edu/msta/surveys/source-documents/cles.html 10/12/07